Unsung places are often the most interesting. Enter Szczecin, the Polish port city on the Baltic which lies just a shade east of the German border. This is Poland with a twist, for the city has a complicated history. One-time capital of Pomerania, Swedish until 1720 and then German until 1945, the city now known » Read more

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona—Barcelona is not known for its harsh winters. As I write this, it is 6 degrees celsius out – or about 43ºF – not exactly beach weather but also not a typical cold winter wonderland. However, it’s easy for Barcelona visitors who are in the mood for frolicking in the snow to » Read more

The virtues of Britain’s second city, Birmingham, are often overlooked by the majority of Brits who see the city as a place to change trains rather than a spot to linger. Yet the Midlands city with a population nudging a million boasts some of Britain’s most striking modern architecture and cuts a dash in culture, » Read more

By C.H. Kwak— Just over an hour away from Berlin by train, Leipzig makes for a great day trip. Whether you’re a classical music fan or a history buff, there’s plenty to keep you busy for a day (or, preferably, more). Here are some tips to help you have a good time on a budget » Read more

By Audrey Sykes— Europe’s ski towns are scattered across the Alps and serve as ideal winter getaways for those living up north. Innsbruck, Austria is one of the favorites and one of the cheapest. It’s bigger than surrounding towns, with a larger population and thus a lot more to offer in terms of quality and » Read more

By C. H. Kwak— Type “Bordeaux” into Google and the all-knowing gods of auto-suggest will fill in “wine” for you. But I was inspired by my friend Emilie, a Bordelaise who doesn’t drink. She’d always told me there was plenty to do in Bordeaux that doesn’t involve red wine. I recently spent a week in » Read more

By Nina Derham in Madrid— If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Madrid, you’re in luck. Spain’s capital is flanked by mountain ranges including the Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra del Norte and the Sierra de Gredos, all of which offer city dwellers some well-needed respite from the urban grind. Day tripping » Read more

By Marc Justin in Florence— Many would say visiting Florence without dousing yourself in Chianti wine makes for an incomplete trip. But did you know that the Chianti region is not only a basin for wines but also home to walking trails that will awaken the dormant hiker buried deep inside every Cheapo. Greve in Chianti, today’s » Read more

Your superfluous New York fact of the week, Cheapos: There are more than 130 wine bars in Manhattan. Add the restaurants on every corner, block and alley—each with its own wine list as long as the line at the Empire State Building—and it’s safe to say that, well, New Yorkers are fans of vino. But » Read more